Oconee County will shut off sewer, water to mobile home park

Regional and health reporter

Oconee County leaders will shut off water and sewer service to a mobile home park they say hasn’t paid the county for utilities for more than a year if the two sides can’t come to an agreement before Jan. 13.

The owners of Pinewood Estates South mobile home park on Old Epps Bridge Road stopped paying for water and sewer service in August 2010, but they had talked with county representatives about resolving the unpaid fees before the county filed a lawsuit in April, said Attorney Thomas Mitchell. Mitchell represents Oconee County in the lawsuit.

“The county has attempted to resolve this matter with the owner,” the Oconee County Utility Department said in a news release Friday. “(Georgia General Kipling Land) continues to refuse to pay for service although it receives money from the residents for utility service.”

Oconee County leaders are suing Georgia General Kipling Land LLC and managing member Maxie Price for water and sewer fees — amounting to more than $150,000 — as well as attorney services and punitive damages, Mitchell said.

“We’ve never had a bill like this before,” said Oconee County attorney Daniel Haygood.

The county is scheduled to hold a hearing for the owners at 10 a.m. Thursday to discuss the shutoff. The meeting is a mandatory part of cutting off sewer and water to the property, Haygood said.

“We’ve tried to be sensitive to the residents out there,” he said.

It appears that at least some of the residents’ utility payments were collected, but never handed over to the county, Mitchell said.

“The defendants in discovery have acknowledged that at least some of the rental payments have included water,” he said.

County leaders will hold two meetings to address residents’ concerns at 7 p.m. Nov. 28 and 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Oconee County Civic Center. The park holds 112 lots.

Residents will receive notices about the shutoff in the mail in both Spanish and English, Mitchell said. Sheriff’s deputies also will attach notices to homes early next week.

Messages left for Maxie Price and attorneys representing Georgia General Kipling Land were not returned Friday.

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